City Cast Austin

For many of us, H-E-B is so much more than a grocery store; it's a cornerstone of the community. In moments of crisis, H-E-B shows up as a lifeline. For local makers, it offers a path to get homegrown products onto the shelves. And for everyday shoppers, it's a place that feels unmistakably Texan (butter tortillas included). Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Heidi Post, Senior Director of Public Affairs for Central Texas at H-E-B, to unpack how this beloved brand has earned such deep loyalty and why, for so many, it feels almost like a religion.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Austin newsletter..  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  If you enjoyed today's interview with Michael Taylor, the Public Information Specialist with Austin Resource Recovery, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 25th episode: Duer - get 15% off your first order Window Nation Austin Community Foundation UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum

The City of Austin has redesigned its website, and Austinites have thoughts on the changes and the $1.48 million price tag. On this week’s Tuesday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn talks with producer Elissa Castles and newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw about the website and what local Reddit users are saying. Plus, Hoover’s Cooking, an east Austin staple for almost 30 years, is closing at the end of May, so we dive into the history and legacy of this Black-owned soul food restaurant. Finally, we open the mailbag to hear from a newsletter reader who weighs in on whether or not SXSW will survive without a convention center. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  Learn more about the sponsors of this March 24th episode: Duer - get 15% off your first order Window Nation Austin Community Foundation UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum

Whether or not you think SXSW is dead, you have to admit things were quite different this year, the festival’s 40th. New ownership, a demolished convention center, a condensed schedule, and other changes made this a make-it-or-break-it year — so how did it go? The short answer: Things were different. But magical moments still abounded. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Dan Solomon, senior writer at Texas Monthly, to discuss.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Austin newsletter..  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The unionization efforts of sex workers in Nevada might have implications for gig workers in Austin. At Sheri's Ranch, a legal brothel 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, some of the workers are seeking both recognition as employees and union representation. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with former City Cast Las Vegas podcast host, current contributor, and longtime Nevada attorney Dayvid Figler about why sex workers are considered independent contractors, what sparked this legal battle, and what happens if they win. Plus, what's different about neighborhoods in Las Vegas? Mentioned on the show: Could a Pahrump Brothel Union Set a New National Standard for Labor Laws? (City Cast Las Vegas) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

After a bombshell investigation from the New York Times detailed multiple allegations of sexual abuse by labor activist César Chávez, the City of Austin is grappling with how to respond. Officials have already canceled a César Chávez parade scheduled for next weekend and are considering renaming a downtown street bearing his name. On this week's Friday News Round Up host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and New York Times' Texas politics reporter Lauren McGaughey to unpack the local fallout and what could come next. Then, contributor Eric Webb joins to discuss the best films of SXSW, and of course we share our weekend plans.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  Learn more about the sponsors of this March 20th episode: Duer - get 15% off your first order Window Nation

We love many things about Austin, but today’s episode is all about the things we hate. Host Nikki DaVaughn, producer Elissa Castles, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec asked each other: “Where would you take someone in town if you hated them?” Tune in for our worst bad day itineraries, and stay until the end to find out whose is the ultimate worst.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Austin newsletter..  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  If you enjoyed today's interview with Tess Rowser, the Marketing Manager of the Water Lantern Festival, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 19th episode: Duer - get 15% off your first order Window Nation

To most Austinites, the annual music festival at Willie Nelson’s ranch in Driftwood is a mystery — one needs a bit of good fortune just to buy a ticket for the exclusive Luck Reunion. Before the festivities kick off, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by two people charmed enough to have attended last year’s event: Tricky Jones, who sang with Jessica Simpson; and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec, to find out if Luck is really worth the hype.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Austin newsletter..  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  If you enjoyed today's interview with Michael Taylor, the Public Information Specialist with Austin Resource Recovery, learn more here.  Learn more about the sponsors of this March 18th episode: Duer - get 15% off your first order Window Nation

Happy St. Patrick's Day y'all! Right now, Austin is bursting in green decor and luck is thick in the air. If you're looking for a spot to grab a pint of Guinness or sip an Irish coffee, we've got you covered. On this week's Tuesday News Round Up, host Nikki DaVaughn sits down with beer, food, and drink writer Ruvani de Silva to talk through the Irish-themed events you won't want to miss today. Plus, producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec join Nikki to break down a plan proposed by a handful of City Council members aimed at reforming how ICE operates in the city and what lawmakers are saying about the West Sixth Street Shooting. And to close out the show, we get to hear from our listeners.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  Learn more about the sponsors of this March 17th episode: Duer - get 15% off your first order City of Austin Window Nation Downtown Austin Alliance

Surveillance technology has played a big role in the investigation into the recent West Sixth Street mass shooting, and participants in this year’s SXSW festival certainly understand they are being watched by law enforcement on downtown cameras. But how much surveillance technology is too much? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Mackenzie Rhine, a digital rights attorney and board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation Austin, to talk about the Austinites who stopped the city from adding cameras to parks, Austin’s new surveillance technology act, and if cameras can actually stop crime.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Austin newsletter..  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  Learn more about the sponsors of this March 16th episode: Duer - get 15% off your first order City of Austin Window Nation Downtown Austin Alliance

Austinites are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It’s a big shift in local policy, partially motivated by the fact that local cops have damaged their reputation by patrolling with feds. City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host and executive editor Mike Schaffer about the political stakes involved, the effectiveness of body cameras, and how Washingtonians are dealing with the heavy federal law enforcement presence. Plus, Mike and Jacoby weigh in on public transit etiquette in their cities when it comes to people playing music out loud. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email us now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.